Food debris filtering apparatus for dishwasher and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An improved food debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher and a method thereof capable of more effectively discharging food debris by separating the same from washing water and resupplying the filtered washing water so as to wash dishes, so that dish washing efficiency is increased, which includes a filtering apparatus for filtering washing water polluted during a dish washing operation; a washing water circulation unit for supplying the washing water filtered by the filtering apparatus to a spray arm; a washing water discharging unit, such as a discharging pump, for discharging pan of washing water lo containing food debris to the outside of the system; a flowing path opening/closing unit disposed at a washing water discharging path for selectively opening/closing the washing water discharging path in cooperation with the washing water circulation unit or the washing water discharging unit; and a food debris gathering and storing unit disposed between the washing water circulation unit and the washing water discharging path for filtering washing water filtered by the filtering apparatus and for gathering and storing the food debris contained in the washing water.

The present application is a reissue of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/584,893 filed on Jan. 11, 1996 which issued as U.S. Pat. No.5,601,660 on Feb. 11, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a food debris filtering apparatus for adishwasher and a method thereof, and particularly to an improved fooddebris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher and a method thereof capableof more effectively discharging food debris by separating the same fromwashing water and resupplying the filtered washing water so as to washdishes, so that dishes washing a dishwashing efficiency is increased.

2. Description of the Conventional Art

FIG. 1 shows a conventional dishwasher, which includes a washing chamber2 formed inside a body 1, and a door 3 attached to the front portion ofthe body 1.

A dish rack 4, on which dishes (not shown) are placed, is disposed atthe inner upper portion of the washing chamber 2, and a spray arm 5having a plurality of washing water spray openings 5a formed on theupper surface of the same is disposed at the central portion of thewashing chamber 2, and a heater 6 is disposed at the bottom of thewashing chamber 2.

Washing water is sprayed toward dishes from the washing water sprayopenings 5a in a state that when the dishes are placed on the dish rack4 of the washing chamber 2, thus washing the dishes. Here, the heater 6is directed to heating the interior of the washing chamber 2 so thatdishes can be easily washed.

Meanwhile, the conventional dishwasher further includes a filteringapparatus F for filtering washing water, which is polluted through adish washing operation, a washing water circulation unit such as awashing pump for supplying the washing water filtered by the filteringapparatus F to the spray arm 5, and a washing water discharging unitsuch as a discharging pump for discharging part of the washing waterfrom the filtering apparatus F to the outside of the system dishwasher.

As shown in FIG. 2, a washing water (containing food debris) gatheringtub 7 having a predetermined depth is disposed below the washing chamber2, and first, second, and third filters 8, 9, and 10 of the filterapparatus F are disposed at the washing water gathering tub 7. Acirculation tube 11 is connected between a predetermined portion of theside wall of the washing water gathering tub 7 and the spray arm 5. Awashing water discharging tube 12 is connected to the bottom of thewashing water gathering tub 7, and a washing water circulation unit P1such as a filtering unit and a washing water discharging unit P2 such asa discharging pump which are disposed at the circulation tube 11 and thedischarging tube 12, respectively.

The first filter 8 is formed with a net having a plurality of net eyeshaving a certain size capable of filtering relatively big size largefood particles, and the second filter 9 is formed with a net having aplurality of net eyes having a certain size capable of filteringintermediate size food particles, and the third filter 10 is formed witha net having a plurality of net eyes having a certain size capable offiltering small food particles.

The second filter 9 is engaged to the washing water gathering tub 7, andthe first filter 8 is engaged to the intermediate portion of the secondfilter 9, and the third filter 10 surrounds the first filter 8 and isconnected to the discharging tube 12.

The conventional dishwasher including the filtering apparatus F, thewashing water circulation unit P1, and the washing water dischargingunit P2 is directed to filtering washing water by permitting the washingwater to flow through the first, second, and third filters 8, 9, and 10through the bottom of the washing chamber 2. The filtered washing wateris supplied to the spray arm 5 in cooperation with the washing watercirculation unit P1, and the washing water is sprayed from the washingwater spraying openings 5a of the spray arm 5, so that a dish washingoperation is performed through the above-mentioned procedures.

Meanwhile, food particles clogged at the net eyes of the third filter 10are discharged to the outside of the system dishwasher through thedischarging tube 12 in cooperation with the washing water dischargingunit P2.

However, the conventional dishwasher has disadvantages in thatrelatively small food particles are not effectively filtered by thefiltering apparatus F, and the recirculated washing water is not cleanenough to wash dishes. In addition, washing water should be resuppliedfrom the outside of the system dishwasher, so as to reduce the pollutionlevel of the washing water. moreover Moreover, a lot of washing water isrequired for a long time, so that a washing efficiency is decreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fooddebris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher and a method thereof, whichovercome the problems encountered in a conventional food debrisfiltering apparatus for a dishwasher and a method thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedfood debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher and a method thereofcapable of more effectively discharging food debris by separating thesame from washing water and resupplying the filtered washing water so asto wash dishes, so that dish washing efficiency is increased.

To achieve the above objects, them there is provided a food debrisfiltering apparatus, which includes a filtering apparatus for filteringwashing water polluted during a dish washing operation; a washing watercirculation unit for supplying the washing water filtered by thefiltering apparatus to a spray arm; a washing water discharging unit,such as a discharging pump, for discharging part of washing watercontaining food debris particles to the outside of the systemdishwasher; a flowing path opening/closing unit disposed at a washingwater discharging path for selectively opening/closing the washing waterdischarging path in cooperation with the washing water circulation unitor the washing water discharging unit; and a food debris gathering andstoring unit disposed between the washing water circulation unit and thewashing water discharging path for filtering washing water filtered bythe filtering apparatus and for gathering and storing the food debrisparticles contained in the washing water.

To achieve the above objects, them there is provided a food debrisfiltering method for a dishwasher, which includes the steps of adischarging path blocking step which stops a driving of a washing waterdischarging unit in a dish washing mode and blocks a washing waterdischarging path in cooperation with a washing water circulation unit; awashing water circulation and refiltering step which sprays a part ofwashing water filtered by a filtering apparatus in cooperation with adriving of the washing water circulation unit and supplies the remainingpart thereof to an assistant filter; a food debris gathering and storingstep which gathers food debris filtered by the assistant filter andstores the thusly filtered food debris in a certain box; a washing waterdischarging flowing path opening step which stops a driving of thewashing water circulation unit and opens a washing water flowing path bydriving the washing water discharging unit in a discharging mode; and afood debris discharging step which discharges food debris to the outsideof the system dishwasher together with washing water in cooperation witha driving of the washing water discharging unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional dishwasher.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a food debris filteringapparatus for a dishwasher in a dish washing mode of a first embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a food debris filteringapparatus for a dishwasher in a washing water discharging mode of afirst embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a food debris gathering box of afood debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a food debris filteringapparatus for a dishwasher in a dish washing mode of a second embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a food debris filteringapparatus for a dishwasher in a washing water discharging mode of asecond embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a food debris filtering method for adishwasher according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a food debris filtering apparatus, and FIG. 5 showsan assistant filter of a first embodiment according to the presentinvention, which includes a filtering apparatus F for filtering washingwater, which is polluted during dish washing operation, for reuse, awashing water circulation unit P1 such as a washing pump for supplyingwashing water filtered by the filtering apparatus F to a spray arm 5, awashing water discharging unit P2 for discharging part of washing waterand filtered food particles to the outside of the systemdishwasher, awashing water flowing path blocking unit disposed at a predeterminedportion of the washing water discharging path for selectively blocking awashing water discharging path in cooperation with the washing watercirculation unit P1 and the washing water discharging unit P2, and afood debris gathering and storing unit disposed between the washingwater circulation unit P1 and the washing water discharging path forfiltering washing water passed through the filtering apparatus F, forfiltering debris and food particles contained in washing water, andstoring the thusly filtered food debris.

The washing water discharging unit P2 is disposed at the exit of adischarging tube 12, and disposed at the entrance of the dischargingtube 12 is a plate-shaped opening/closing valve 21.

The opening/closing valve 21 includes a hinge portion 22 formed on aperiphery thereof and connected to the inner wall of the dischargingtube 12, the opening/closing valve 21 being movable upwardly anddownwardly about the hinge portion 2 22. An engaging portion 23 isformed on the inner surface of the discharging tube 12 for preventingthe opening/closing value 21 from moving upwardly and for blocking thedischarging tube 12.

Meanwhile, the food debris gathering and storing unit includes anassistant filtering unit 31 engaged to the circulation tube 11 of thespray arm 5 for gathering food particles contained in washing water, awashing water induction tube 32 for connecting the assistant filteringunit 31 and the washing water circulation unit P1, and a food debrisinduction tube 33 for connecting the assistant filtering unit 31 and thedischarging unit tube 12 and for storing gathered food particles (fooddebris).

As shown in FIG. 5, the assistant filtering unit 31 includes a fooddebris gathering box 35 having an opening 34 formed therewithin, throughwhich the circulation tube 11 of the spray arm 5 passes, a fourth filter36 disposed at the upper portion of the food debris gathering box 35 andformed with a net having a plurality of small net eyes (holes) capableof filtering very small food particles, and connection tubes 37 and 38disposed at both lower portions of the foot food debris gathering box 35for connecting the washing water induction tube 32 and the food debrisinduction tube 33.

In addition, a plurality of downward spray openings 5b are formed on thelower surface of the spray arm 5, the downward spray openings 5b beingdirected to get configured to remove the food debris particles cloggedat the fourth filter 36 coming off therefrom in cooperation with a highpressure water spray sprayed from the downward spray openings 5b.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals as the prior an art aregiven the same numbers in this embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the food debris filtering method for a dishwasher will now beexplained.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart for explaining the footfood debris filteringmethod, which includes the steps of a discharging path blocking stepwhich stops a driving of a washing water discharging unit in a dishwashing mode and blocks a washing water discharging path in cooperationwith a washing water circulation unit; a washing water circulation andrefiltering step which sprays a part of washing water filtered by afiltering apparatus in cooperation with a driving of the washing watercirculation unit and supplies the remaining part thereof to an assistantfilter; a food debris gathering and storing step which gathers fooddebris filtered by the assistant filter and stores the thusly filteredfood debris in a certain box; a washing water discharging flowing pathopening step which stops a driving of the washing water circulation unitand opens a washing water flowing path by driving the washing waterdischarging unit in a discharging mode; and a food debris dischargingstep which discharges food debris to the outside of the systemdishwashertogether with washing water in cooperation with a driving of the washingwater discharging unit.

The food debris gathering and storing step is directed to downwardlyspraying washing water from the spray arm 5 so as to get remove fooddebris come from the assistant filtering apparatus in cooperation unit31 with a high pressure washing water.

The operation and effects of the food debris filtering apparatus for adishwasher and a method thereof

As shown in FIG. 3, in a dish washing mode, the operation of the washingwater discharging unit P2 is stopped, and the washing water circulationunit P1 is driven, so that the interior pressure in the food debrisgathering box washing water gathering tub 7 disposed below the washingchamber 2 is increased decreased, and the opening/closing valve 21disposed at the entrance of the discharging tube 12 is lifted and closesthe discharging tube 12.

At this time, the lifting of the opening/closing valve 21 is limited bythe engaging section 23 formed at the inner wall of the discharging tube12 and keeps a horizontal state inside the discharging tube 12, so thatthe discharging path of the discharging tube is effectively blocked.

In addition, a part of the washing water passed through the filteringapparatus F consisted consisting of the first, second, and third filters8, 9 and 10 is supplied to the spray arm 5 through the circulation tube11 in cooperation with the washing water circulation unit P1 and issprayed toward the washing water spraying openings 5a of the spray arm5, and the remaining part of the washing water passed therethrough flowsinto the food debris gathering box 35 of the assistant filtering unit 31through the connection tube 37.

The washing water introduced into the food debris gathering box 35 isfiltered again by the fourth filter 36 disposed at the entrance thereof,and the washing is effectively filtered again. The washing waterfiltered by the fourth filter 36 returns to the food debris gatheringbox washing water gathering tub 7 through the bottom surface of thewashing chamber 2 and the filtering apparatus F, and the food debrisfiltered by the fourth filter 36 remains inside the food debrisgathering box 35.

At this time, the food debris clogged at in the net eyes of the fourthfilter 36 come off therefrom in cooperation is removed with a highpressure water downwardly sprayed from the lower surface sprayingopening spray openings 5b.

The food debris gathered inside the food debris gathering box 35 movetoward the food debris induction tube 33. As described above, the fooddebris which is not filtered by the filtering apparatus F is filteredagain by the assistant filter 31 and stored inside the food debrisgathering box 35 of the assistant filter 31 and the induction tube 33 ,and the washing water filtered by the assistant filter 36 isrecirculated and used as dish washing water again.

Meanwhile, in a discharging mode, the circulation unit P1 is stopped,and the washing water discharging unit P2 is driven, so that thepressure inside the discharging tube 12 is increased decreased.Therefore, the opening/closing valve 21 is lowered about the hingesection 22 so as to open the flowing path of the discharging tube 12.The washing water in the food debris gathering box washing watergathering tub 7 is discharged to the outside of the system dishwasher incooperation with the washing water discharging unit 172 P2, and at thesame time, the food debris gathered in the food debris induction tube 33food debris gathering box 35 is discharged to the outside of the systemdishwasher through the discharging tube 12 and the food debris inductiontube 33 along with the washing water.

At this time, the food debris particles clogged at in the net eyes ofthe third filter 10 come off therefrom are removed by the washing waterdischarging unit P2 and are discharged to the outside of the systemdishwasher through the discharging tube 12.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a food debris filtering apparatus disposedat the assistant filter 31 of a second embodiment according to thepresent invention, which is directed to preventing washing water fromreversely flowing toward the washing water circulation unit P1 in thedischarging mode.

The washing water reverse flowing prevention unit is a plate-shapedopening/closing valve 41 disposed at the upper portion of the connectiontube 37 connected to the washing water induction tube 32 of the fooddebris gathering box 35. The opening/closing valve 41 includes a hingesection 42, formed at a predetermined portion thereof and connected tothe inner wall of the food debris gathering box 35, and is movableupwardly and downwardly about the hinge section 42.

The opening/closing valve 41 is preferably formed with a rubbermaterial.

In this embodiment, since the opening/closing valve 41 is disposed atthe upper portion of the connection tube 37 connected to the washingwater induction tube 32 of the food debris gathering box 35, as shown inFIG. 6, in a dish washing mode, the washing water of the food debrisgathering box washing water gathering tub 7 is induced drawn to theinterior of the food debris gathering box 35 through the washing waterinduction tube 32 and the connection tube 37. At this time, when thewashing water causes the opening/closing valve 41 to open in cooperationwith the pressure thereof, and the washing water in is introduced intothe food debris gathering box 35, and as shown in FIG. 7, in adischarging mode, since the washing water pressure at the side of thewashing water circulation unit P1 is low, the opening/closing valve 41is lowered about the hinge section 42 and blocks the flowing path of theconnection tube 37. Therefore, the reverse flow of the foot food debristoward the washing water circulation unit P1 is effectively prevented.

Here, since the operation of the second embodiment is the same as thefirst embodiment, it is omitted.

As described above, the food debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasherand a method thereof according to the present invention is directed tomore effectively filtering the washing water by providing an assistantfilter at a circulation path of the washing water, thereby increasingwashing efficiency, and in addition, the washing water filtered fromfood debris is resupplied to the system dishwasher for reuse, and thefood debris filtered therefrom is gathered at a certain place anddischarged to the outside of the system dishwasher, so that the dishwashing efficiency is increased.

Moreover, the food debris clogged at the fourth filter is automaticallycome off therefrom removed, not by hands, so that it is more convenientcompared with the conventional art.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas described in the accompanying claims.

1. A food debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher, comprising: afiltering apparatus for filtering washing water polluted during a dishwashing operation; washing water circulation means for supplying thewashing water filtered by said filtering apparatus to a spray arm;washing water discharging means, such as a discharging pump, fordischarging pan part of the washing water containing food debris to theoutside of the system dishwasher; flowing path opening/closing openingand closing means disposed at a washing water discharging path for toselectively opening/closing open and close said washing waterdischarging path based upon a pressure in the washing water dischargingpath and in cooperation with one of said washing water circulation meansor and said washing water discharging means; and food debris gatheringand storing means disposed between the washing water circulation meansand said washing water discharging path for filtering washing waterfiltered by the filtering apparatus and for gathering and storing thefood debris contained in the washing water.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said washing water flowing opening/closing path opening andclosing means is comprises an opening/closing opening and closing valveengaged to the an entrance of a discharging tube of the washing waterdischarging means, said opening/closing opening and closing valve beingmovable upwardly and downwardly.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinsaid discharging tube includes an engaging section formed at the aninner surface thereof for opening/closing opening and closing thedischarging tube by preventing the opening/closing opening and closingvalve from moving upwardly in a horizontal state.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said food debris gathering and storing means includesan assistant filter engaged to an axis of said spray arm for filteringwashing water, a washing water induction tube for connecting saidassistant filter and the washing water circulation means, and a fooddebris induction tube for connecting the assistant filter and the adischarging tube and for storing the filtered food debris.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein said assistant filter comprises a fooddebris gathering box, said food water debris gathering box beingcylindrical and hollow so that the axis of the spray arm can passtherethrough, and a fourth filter formed with a net having a pluralityof net eyes having a certain size sized to be capable of filtering arelatively small size food debris.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinsaid washing water induction tube and said food debris induction tubeinclude a connected to connection tube tubes disposed at lower bothsides a bottom of the food debris gathering box for connecting thewashing water induction tube and the food debris induction tube .
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein said spray arm includes a plurality oflower surface spry spray openings so as to come off configured to removefood debris clogged at in the fourth assistant filter in cooperationwith by spraying washing water sprayed therefrom .
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, A food debris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher, comprising:a filtering apparatus for filtering washing water polluted during a dishwashing operation; washing water circulation means for supplying thewashing water filtered by said filtering apparatus to a spray arm;washing water discharging means for discharging part of the washingwater containing food debris to outside of the dishwasher; flowing pathopening and closing means disposed at a washing water discharging pathfor selectively opening and closing said washing water discharging pathin cooperation with one of said washing water circulation means and saidwashing water discharging means; and food debris gathering and storingmeans disposed between the washing water circulation means and saidwashing water discharging path for filtering washing water filtered bythe filtering apparatus and for gathering and storing the food debriscontained in the washing water, wherein said spray arm includes aplurality of lower surface spry spray openings so as to come offconfigured to remove food debris clogged at in the fourth filter incooperation with food debris gathering and storing means by sprayingwashing water sprayed therefrom .
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid food debris gathering and storing means includes food debrisreverse flowing prevention means for preventing food debris fromreversely flowing toward the said washing water circulation means in adischarging mode.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said food debrisreverse flowing prevention means is an opening/closing opening andclosing valve disposed at the an upper end of a washing waterinduction-side connection tube of the a food debris gathering box of thefood debris gathering and storing means, said food debris reverseflowing prevention means being movable upwardly and downwardly.
 11. Afood debris filtering method for a dishwasher, comprising the steps of:a discharging path blocking step which stops a driving of washing waterdischarging means in a dish washing mode and blocks a washing waterdischarging path in cooperation with a washing water circulation means;a washing water circulation and refiltering step which sprays a part ofwashing water filtered by a filtering apparatus in cooperation with adriving of said the washing water circulation means and supplies the aremaining part thereof to an assistant filter; a food debris gatheringand storing step which gathers food debris filtered by the assistantfilter and stores the thusly filtered food debris in a certain box; awashing water discharging flowing path opening step which stops adriving of the washing water circulation means and opens a washing waterflowing path by driving the washing water discharging means in adischarging mode; and a food debris discharging step which dischargesfood debris to the outside of the system dishwasher together withwashing water in cooperation with a driving of the washing waterdischarging means.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said the fooddebris gathering and storing step is directed to includes downwardlyspraying washing water from the a lower surface of the a spray arm, sothat food debris particles clogged at in the assistant filter come offtherefrom are removed by a pressure of the washing water.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the flowing path opening and closing meansopen and close said washing water discharging path based upon a pressurein the washing water discharging path.
 14. A food debris filteringapparatus for a dishwasher, comprising: a filtering apparatus thatfilters washing water polluted during a dish washing operation; awashing water circulator that supplies the filtered washing water to aspray arm; a washing water discharger that discharges part of thewashing water containing food debris to outside of the dishwasher; aflowing path opener and closer disposed at a washing water dischargingpath that selectively opens and closes said washing water dischargingpath in cooperation with one of said washing water circulator and saidwashing water discharger; and a food debris gathering unit disposedbetween the washing water circulator and said washing water dischargingpath that filters washing water filtered by the filtering apparatus andthat gathers and stores the food debris contained in the washing water,a top side of said food debris gathering unit comprising a filter. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said filter filters small fooddebris.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said spray arm includes aplurality of lower surface spray openings configured to remove fooddebris clogged in the filter by spraying washing water.
 17. A fooddebris filtering apparatus for a dishwasher, comprising: a filteringapparatus that filters washing water polluted during a dish washingoperation; a washing water circulator that supplies the filtered washingwater to a spray arm; a washing water discharger that discharges part ofthe washing water containing food debris to outside of the dishwasher; aflowing path opener and closer disposed at a washing water dischargingpath that selectively opens and closes said washing water dischargingpath in cooperation with one of said washing water circulator and saidwashing water discharger; and a food debris gathering unit disposedbetween the washing water circulator and said washing water dischargingpath that filters washing water filtered by the filtering apparatus andthat gathers and stores the food debris contained in the washing water,wherein a bottom surface of said food debris gathering unit is connectedto a plurality of tubes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein saidfood debris gathering unit includes a filter engaged to an axis of saidspray arm for filtering washing water, a washing water induction tubefor connecting said filter and said washing water circulator, and a fooddebris induction tube for connecting said filter and a discharging tube.